Connection in an Isolating Age

The day was strangely sunny. Perhaps that was the problem. It was too calm. Mark went to class as usual, took groceries home, then went out to film and get Roger's AZT. Once he got into the park where the street vendors hid, he was slightly surprised to note that his usual supplier wasn't around. Strange, that. Mark stuck his hands in his pockets, and wandered around the park a bit. He had a rather unspoken truce with all of the dealers. He wouldn't film them, and they'd stay away from pushing at any of Mark's people. Perhaps it was Mark's way of doubly making sure Mimi and Roger stayed clean.

After a couple of minutes of wandering around and looking bored, a man in a dirty baseball cap and jacket sidled up to Mark. "Hey, you lookin' for the AZT vendor?"

Mark eyed him for a moment and shrugged. "Yeah, I'm looking for a two-week supply. You got any?" Really, it was more two one-week supplies, but who's counting.

"Yeah, I got some. You got the usual? Fifty bucks?" The man sneered. "But for you, I should make it a hundred. Rumour has it that you're loaded now."

"Watch it. I can take my business elsewhere, and then where would you be?" Mark pulls fifty bucks out of his pocket in tens, handing it to the man. "I swear I've been keeping you guys going for ages now. Don't alienate me." And don't deny him AZT. Because then he'll have to have a fit.

"Yeah, well, this is the last time that you'll be keeping anyone in business." The man pulled a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket, along with a police badge. "Mark Cohen, you're under arrest for purchasing controlled substances on the black market."

"What? Wait. No, you can't take me in. I have to go home, I have to get this medicine home..."

"I don't think you're going anywhere except to jail, Mr. Cohen. You have the rlight to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you at no cost. During any questioning, you may decide at any time to exercise these rights, not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?"

And silent is what Mark does, only answering the barest of questions asked of him, and squeaking when they took his bag with his camera, grabbing for it before they pushed him back. He submitted to the drug tests, shrugging idly when they came back negative. Duh, he was clean. He allowed himself a small smile at their confusion. Eventually, he demanded his phone call before they locked him in the cell. He phoned the Loft.

Speeeeeeeeeeak!

Roger? Fuck, you have to be there, Roger. Seriously. Answer the phone. Mimi? Maureen? Collins? Adam? Anyone, please? Damnit. Alright. This is Mark. I couldn't get your AZT, Roger and Mimi, I got arrested. Please, someone phone Joanne, and tell her to come down here. I can't talk long, they're already giving me the evil eye, but please, if someone could even just come and get my camera out of the lockup, and put it on my desk, that would be great, and Roger, please please take care of yourself and Mimi. Don't do anything stupid. I gotta go....

1. Maureen. Some part of him does know she's a lunatic, and always will be, however, he loves her. He enjoys everything about her in a strange way that he mightn't ever understand.

2. Watching a film. Mark has a tendancy of being so busy lately, even before his film was released, that he doesn't get much time to watch them for enjoyment. Thus, the times that he can actually sit back and relax and watch something, without deep analysis are awesome.

3. Dance, especially Tango. One of his secrets, really, is how much he loves to dance. He'd never admit it to most people, but he really gets into ballroom dancing when he has a chance to.

4. Riding his bike through Manhattan. For some reason, he just loves to bike around, especially in the middle of the day, and watch everyone bustle around. It's comforting and somewhat freeing.

5. Loving Angel. He can't do anything about it, wouldn't ever do anything about it, but if and when he actually sits down and thinks about it, he's been in love with Angel practically from the moment they met.